Bifold wallets with elastic sleeve

ABSTRACT

A bifold wallet can comprise a rectangular base comprising an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface can include a first end and a second end. The first end can comprise an elastic sleeve with a decorative design, and the second end comprises a first and a second inner pocket. The outer surface can comprise at least one outer pocket. The rectangular base can include at least one fold.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wallets are traditionally designed to hold paper currency, coins, creditcards, bank cards, identification cards, etc. Wallets may be constructedfrom various fabric and leather material, or a combination thereof.Durability may be a consideration when selecting a material for awallet. Leather is used in a wide range of application, including in theconstruction of wallets, due to the durable nature of leather.Manufacturers may also select heavier textile fabrics to producewallets. However, neither leather nor heavy textile fabric typicallyoffer any elasticity. With use, leather and heavy textiles may becomestretched and therefore less able to hold the contents of the walletsecurely.

Various shapes of wallets are well known, including a card holder, abifold, and a trifold. Such wallets vary significantly in size,especially when filled. Typically, wallets are sized to fit into trouserand/or jacket pockets. Wallet sleeves or pockets typically comprise astraight seam and may be composed of the same material as the walletbody.

Accordingly, there are a number of problems in the art that can beaddressed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Implementations described herein are directed to a bifold wallet andmethods of production therefor. In at least one implementation, a bifoldwallet comprises a rectangular base. The rectangular base can include aninner surface comprising an elastic sleeve, and at least one additionalinner pocket. The rectangular base can also include an outer surfacecomprising at least one outer pocket.

Additionally or alternatively, in at least one implementation, a bifoldwallet can comprise a rectangular base comprising an inner surface andan outer surface. The inner surface can include a first end and a secondend. The first end can comprise an elastic sleeve with a decorativedesign, and the second end comprises a first and a second inner pocket.The outer surface can comprise at least one outer pocket. Therectangular base can include at least one fold.

Finally, in at least one implementation, a bifold wallet with an elasticsleeve can comprise a foldable rectangular base comprising a height inthe range of 5-6 inches and a length in the range of 3-4 inches. Aninner surface can comprise an elastic sleeve with a decorative design,and a first and a second inner pocket. An outer surface can include atleast one outer pocket. The foldable rectangular base can comprise awidth of less than ½ inch when folded.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the descriptionwhich follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or maybe learned by practice. The features and advantages may be realized andobtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularlypointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,or may be learned by the practice of the examples as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above recited and otheradvantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the invention briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not thereforeto be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates top, facing, left perspective view of an exemplarybifold wallet with an elastic sleeve in accordance with one or moreimplementations of the present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates an elevated facing view thereof;

FIG. 1C illustrates an elevated rear view thereof;

FIG. 1D illustrates an elevated left side view thereof;

FIG. 2A illustrates a top, facing, left perspective view of an exemplarybifold wallet in a folded configuration in accordance with one or moreimplementations of the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates an elevated facing view thereof;

FIG. 2C illustrates an elevated rear view thereof; and

FIG. 2D illustrates an elevated right side view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Implementations described herein are directed to a bifold wallet andmethods of production therefor. In at least one implementation, a bifoldwallet comprises a rectangular base. The rectangular base can include aninner surface comprising an elastic sleeve, and at least one additionalinner pocket. The rectangular base can also include an outer surfacecomprising at least one outer pocket.

The addition of an elastic sleeve can provide several functionalbenefits to a bifold wallet. For example, elastic can allow a user tomore easily add and remove contents to and from the sleeve. Theflexibility of the elastic can allow the sleeve to expand to accommodateextra contents. Elastic can also retain its structural integrity despiterepeated stretching, unlike leather and heavy fabric, which can becomestretched and therefore less able to hold the contents of the walletsecurely.

Additionally, in at least one implementation, the bifold walletcomprises a curved pocket. Like the elastic sleeve, the curved pocketcan improve the user's ability to remove and replace contents, forexample by exposing a straight edge of the enclosed article (e.g., cash,card, ID, etc.) The curved pocket also can allow the user to view aportion of the contents of the pocket without removal of the contents.

Turning now to the Figures, FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate various views of anexemplary bifold wallet 100 in an open configuration. As shown in FIG.1A, the bifold wallet comprises an inside surface 105 and an outsidesurface 110 formed by the opposing sides of a rectangular base 115.

In at least one implementation, manufacturers can construct therectangular base 115 from a single piece of fabric. Alternatively,manufacturers can layer two or more pieces of fabric to create therectangular base 115. Manufacturers can use a variety of differentfabrics, or combinations thereof, to construct the rectangular base 115,including leather, faux-leather, canvas (made from cotton, linen, orpolyvinyl chloride), felt (natural or synthetic), or other suitablematerials for wallet construction. In at least one implementation,manufacturers can use a single piece of leather fabric as therectangular base 115. In an alternative implementation, manufacturerscan layer canvas (as the outside surface 110) and felt (as the insidesurface 105) to create the rectangular base 115.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D further show that on the inside surface 105, thebifold wallet 100 can include an elastic sleeve 120. In at least oneimplementation, the elastic sleeve 120 is formed from a tight-knitelastic material that can expand and contract to secure the contents ofthe elastic sleeve 120. Additionally, the elastic sleeve 120 can includea decorative design including a floral, linear, tribal, geometric, orabstract print.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D, the inside surface 105 can furtherinclude a first and a second inner pocket 125 a and 125 b, respectively.The elastic sleeve 120 can be on a first end of the inside surface 105a, and the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b can be stackedon the opposing second end of the inside surface 105 b.

In at least one implementation, the first and second inner pockets 125 aand 125 b comprise the same fabric as the rectangular base 115. Forexample, if the rectangular base 115 is leather, the first and secondinner pockets 125 a and 125 b can also be leather. Alternatively, if therectangular base 115 comprises two pieces of layered fabric, the firstand second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b can comprise either fabric or acombination thereof. In at least one implementation, the outside surface110 is canvas, the inside surface 105 is felt, and the first and secondinner pockets 125 a and 125 b are canvas.

Additionally or alternatively, the first and second inner pockets 125 aand 125 b can include a lining. Manufacturers can choose from a varietyof different fabrics, or combinations thereof, to construct the liningof the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b. In at least oneimplementation, the lining is synthetic fabric and/or designed to beRFID blocking. For example, the synthetic fabric can comprise fabricwith one or more metals interwoven therein, such as nickel, iron,silver, copper, chromium, molybdenum, or other suitable materials and/orcombinations thereof.

Although FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D show the bifold wallet 100 comprising thefirst and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b, in at least oneimplementation, the bifold wallet 100 comprises a single inner pocketlocated on the second side of the inside surface 105 b. Further, each ofthe first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b can have a curved topseam, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The curved top seams can improve theuser's ability to remove and replace contents within the first andsecond inner pockets 125 a and 125 b. The curved top seam can also allowthe user to view a portion of the contents of the pocket without removalof the contents.

FIGS. 1A, 1C, and 1D show that the outside surface 110 can include afirst end 110 a and a second end 110 b. In at least one implementation,the first end of the outside surface 110 a comprises an outer pocket130. Similar to the first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b, theouter pocket 130 can comprise the same fabric as the rectangular base115. Additionally or alternatively, the outer pocket 130 can include alining. Manufacturers can choose from a variety of different fabrics, orcombinations thereof, to construct the lining of the first and secondinner pockets 125 a and 125 b. In at least one implementation, thelining is synthetic fabric and/or designed to be RFID blocking.

In FIGS. 1A, 1C, and 1D, the bifold wallet 100 is shown with a singleouter pocket 130. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe present invention is not so limited. In at least one implementation,the outside surface 110 comprises more than one outer pocket. The secondend of the outside surface 110 b can comprise at least one additionalouter pocket. Alternatively, at least one additional outer pocket can bestacked on top of the outer pocket 130. Further, as shown in FIG. 1C,the outer pocket 130 can have a curved top seam like the first andsecond inner pockets 125 a and 125 b.

FIG. 1B shows that the bifold wallet 100 can have a height D1 of about5-6 inches and a length D2 of about 3-4 inches when in the openconfiguration. In at least one implementation, the bifold wallet 100comprises a height D1 of about 5.41 inches (13.75 cm) and a length D2 ofabout 3.84 inches (9.75 cm) when in the open configuration. Otherimplementations of the bifold wallet can include various otherdimensions.

FIGS. 1A-1D further show that the bifold wallet 100 can includestitching 135 which extends between the inside surface 105 and outsidesurface 110. The stitching 135 can prevent the separation of layers thatcomprise the rectangular base 115. The stitching 135 can also secure theelastic sleeve 120, the first and second inner pockets 125, and theouter pocket 130 to the rectangular base 115. In at least oneimplementation the various sleeves and pockets are also heat bonded tothe rectangular base 115.

FIGS. 2A-2D show the exemplary bifold wallet 100 in a foldedconfiguration in accordance with one or more implementations of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 2D, when folded, the first end ofthe inside surface 105 a directly opposes the second end of the insidesurface 105 b. FIGS. 2A and 2D show that the elastic sleeve 120 facesthe first and second inner pockets 125 a and 125 b when the bifoldwallet 100 is folded.

FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrate a facing and rear view, respectively, of thebifold wallet 100 when folded. Like in FIG. 1B, FIG. 2B shows that thebifold wallet 100 can have a length D2 of about 3-4 inches. FIG. 2B alsoshows that the bifold wallet 100 can have a height D3 of about 2.5-3inches when in the folded configuration. In at least one implementation,the bifold wallet 100 comprises a height D3 of about 2.72 inches (6.9cm) when folded. FIG. 2D, which illustrates a right side view of thebifold wallet 100, shows that the bifold wallet can have a depth D4 ofless than ½ inch when in a folded configuration.

The facing view of the bifold wallet 100, shown in FIG. 1B, shows thesecond end of the outside surface 110 b, which comprises the rectangularbase 115. The rear view of the bifold wallet 100, shown in FIG. 1C,shows the first end of the outside surface 110 a, which includes therectangular base 115 and the outer pocket 130.

The present invention can be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. A bifold wallet comprising: a rectangular base comprising: an innersurface comprising: an elastic sleeve; and at least one additional innerpocket; and an outer surface comprising at least one outer pocket. 2.The bifold wallet of claim 1, wherein the rectangular base comprises asingle piece of fabric.
 3. The bifold wallet of claim 2, wherein thesingle piece of fabric is leather.
 4. The bifold wallet of claim 1,wherein the rectangular base comprises at least two bonded fabricpieces.
 5. The bifold wallet of claim 4, wherein the at least two bondedfabric pieces are canvas and felt.
 6. The bifold wallet of claim 1,wherein the rectangular base has a height in the range of 5-6 inches anda length in the range of 3-4 inches.
 7. The bifold wallet of claim 1,wherein the elastic sleeve includes a decorative design.
 8. The bifoldwallet of claim 1, wherein the at least one additional inner pocket andthe at least one outer pocket include a lining.
 9. The bifold wallet ofclaim 8, wherein the lining is RFID blocking.
 10. A bifold walletcomprising: a rectangular base comprising an inner surface and an outersurface; the inner surface comprising a first end and a second end,wherein: the first end comprises an elastic sleeve with a decorativedesign; and the second end comprises a first and a second inner pocket;and the outer surface comprises at least one outer pocket; wherein therectangular base includes at least one fold.
 11. The bifold wallet ofclaim 10, wherein the rectangular base comprises a single piece ofleather fabric.
 12. The bifold wallet of claim 10, wherein therectangular base comprises at least two bonded fabric pieces.
 13. Thebifold wallet of claim 12, wherein the at least two bonded fabric piecesare canvas and felt.
 14. The bifold wallet of claim 10, wherein thefirst and second inner pockets are stacked on the second end of theinner surface.
 15. The bifold wallet of claim 10, wherein the at leastone outer pocket comprises a curved top seam.
 16. A bifold wallet withan elastic sleeve comprising: a foldable rectangular base comprising aheight in the range of 5-6 inches and a length in the range of 3-4inches; an inner surface comprising: an elastic sleeve with a decorativedesign; and a first and a second inner pocket; and an outer surfacecomprising at least one outer pocket; wherein the foldable rectangularbase comprises a width of less than ½ inch when folded.
 17. The bifoldwallet with the elastic sleeve of claim 16, wherein when the rectangularbase is folded, the elastic sleeve faces the first and second innerpockets.
 18. The bifold wallet with the elastic sleeve of claim 16,wherein the foldable rectangular base comprises a single piece ofleather fabric.
 19. The bifold wallet with the elastic sleeve of claim16, wherein the foldable rectangular base comprises at least two bondedfabric pieces.
 20. The bifold wallet with the elastic sleeve of claim19, wherein the at least two bonded fabric pieces are canvas and felt.